Sheet-feeding mechanism



Feb. 20,A 1945. L, LA BOMBARp 2,369,914

SHEETk FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 uw I l iii 1 b1 u ATTORNYS I V Feb. 20, 194.5. IE, LABQMBARD 2,369,914

SHEET FEEDLNG MEcHANIsM Filed Aug. `2e, 1942 5 sheets-sheet :s

L.. E. LA BMBARD SHEET FEEDING- MEcANisM.

Feb. 2o, 1945;

Filed g. ..26, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 20, 1945. L., E, LA BOMBARD '2,369,914

SHEET EEDING MECHANISM Filleld Aug. 12e, 1942 5 sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Breon E. I oBombdrd Patented Feb. 20, 1945 l SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISM Leon E. La Bombard, Nashua, N. H., `assignor to The International Paper Box Machine Company, Nashua, N. H.; a corporation of 'New Hampshire I Application August 26, 1942, Serial No. 456,199

' Col. 271-29) 27 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic mechanism for feeding sheets or blanks of fibrous or other material from a stack in rapid succession and delivering the same to other mechanisms in timed accurately registered relation so that further operations may be performed upon the sheets or blanks progressively.

I am'aware that other types of automatic feeders have been made which will remove one blank at a time from a stack of blanks and prearranged in registry after such feeding before they are delivered to mechanism for producing succeeding operat'ons.

Inxsuch feeding machines the separation and removal of one blank from the stack frequently disturbs other blanks particularly when the stacked blanksare so supported that pressure exists between the blankbeing fed and the next succeeding blank. This is especially true of blanks having window openings or so shaped that portions of one blank may catch or lock uponthe next succeeding blank.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide mechanism for maintaining sufficient pressure upon the blanks in the stack to prevent displacement'of the sheets therein in combination with mechanism .for engaging and progressively deilecting an outermost sheet of the stack throughout its width and then bending the deected sheet away from thestack throughout the major portion of its length and thereafter slidably withdrawing the sheet from the stack thereby preventing catching or interlocking of -any portion of the outermost sheet with the next adjacent sheets during such withdrawal from the stack.

the next succeeding sheet of the stack, in com bination with means for preventing displacement of the next succeeding sheet and continuing the deflection of the outermost sheet, and comprising means for engaging the. deflected corner portion of the sheet and continuing the deflection of thesheet throughout the width thereof and i the outermost sheet is fully withdrawn from the t stack and which preferably will aid in continuing the deflection of the edge portion of the sheet during such movement. By virtue of this construction the restoration of the gripping means into engagement with the next succeeding sheet of the stack enables the feeding mechanism and the lsheet-receiving mechanism to be operated at a considerably increased rate of speed.

Another object "of the invention is toprovide` means which can be quickly adjusted to feed.

' sheets of fractionally shorter length than that of the maximum sheet to theA sheet-receiving means without vincreasing the linear speed of the feeding mechanism so that, for. example,v

4 ployed for feeding the longer sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide Another object of the invention yis to provide feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in inclined upright position relatively to the sheet deilecting and forwarding means having means for progressively forcing the lower end portions of the sheets against a suitable abutment with predetermined adjustable pressure and having means for vertically adjusting the sheet-supporting means to tact with the next adjacent sheet and then slidpresent sheets of different lengths properly t the deilecting and forwarding means.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism for successively separating outermost Fig. 1 is mainly a side elevation showing a por tion of the end of a sheet-receiving and forwarding means and the sheet feeding mechanism assembled thereupon;

Fig. 2 is a detail view illustrating a portion of the upper end of the stack with the suction operated gripping mechanism in engagement with the .outermost sheet of the stack together with in the direction of the axis of the suction tube shown in Fig. 10, comprising a modified form of suction operated gripping mechanism, the means for actuating the same, the suction controller and a vertically movable separator and its actuating mechanism;

a. cam mechanism for actuating the gripping mechanism and valso illustrating a separator po-V sitioned beyond the edge of the sheet and the cam mechanism for actuating the separator;

Fig. 3 is a similar detail view showing the position of the gripping mechanism after having deflected a corner portion of the sheet from the stack with a separator partially moved into a position to engage the edge of the deflected outermost sheet and engaging the next sheet of the stack to hold it from displacement;

Fig. 4 is a similar detail view showing the separator fully moved into engagement with the deected portion of the sheet and the stack and illustrating a position of the gripping mechanism as it is being restored to gripping relation to the next succeeding sheet of the stack before the sheet is completely withdrawn from the stack;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the rear of portions of the feeding mechanism illustrating particularly the longitudinally slotted rotatable member for progressively deiiecting the end portion of the sheet widthwise, the abutment which engages the lower end portion of the stack as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the mechanism for supporting the lower end of the stack and progressively forcing the stack against the abutment as succeeding outermost sheets are removed;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the upper `portion of the stack showing the deflected corner portion of the outermost sheet retained in deflected position by the separator and preliminarily engaged by the wall of the slot for continuing' widthwise deflection of the sheet and showing the suction-actuated gripping mechanism about to be restored to position to engage the next succeeding sheet of the stack before withdrawal of the outermost sheet from the stack;

Fig. 'l is a detail perspective view from the rear illustrating the slotteda rotatable member for defiecting the edge portion of the sheet widthwise,

the roller which cooperates therewith, and the.

driving mechanism for synchronising the operation of the sheet feeding mechanism with the sheet receiving and forwarding mechanism;

Figr is a view mainly in end elevation showing the manner in which theinclination of the stack-supporting means may be adjusted and also illustrating the manner in which an adjustable controller for intermittently applying suction to the gripping means is mounted upon the frame of the machina, it being understood that the controller may be similarly mounted upon the nonadjustable feeding mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view, viewed downwardly Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on line l0--I0 Fig. 9, showing the suction gripping mechanism in engagement with the corner of the outermost sheet, the mechanism for actuating the same. the'vertical separator and its actuating mechanism and the rotatable members which engage the deflected end of the sheet, and the lcompanion roller cooperating therewith to orward the sheet to sheet-receiving means a portion of which is diagrammatically illustrated;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the suction controller the cover being removed;

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical sectional view on line l2-l2 Fig. 11;

I Fig. 13 is a view illustrating the adjustable means for selectively controlling the timing of the application of suctionto the gripping and deecting means to enable long sheets or sheets of half the length of long sheets to be fed to the sheet-receiving and forwarding means at the same speed;

Fig. 14 is a detail diagrammatic view mainly in side elevation of a modification of the invention for successively feeding the uppermost sheet from a horizontal stack; and,

Fig'. 15 is a similar View of a modification of the invention for successively feeding the lowermost sheet from a horizontal stack.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated herein comprise mechanism for successively feeding an outermost sheet of a stack rapidly and in proper registry to a sheet-receiving and forwarding means for presenting the sheets successively in proper registry yfor subsequent operations thereupon. Any suitable sheet receiving and forwarding means may be employed. As illustrated herein the sheet-receiving and forwarding means comprises a frame l having mounted therein suitable shafts 2 and 3 of suitable pulleys or drums d and 5 upo'n which are mounted cooperating endless bands 6 and l the adjacent runs of which engage the bottom and top of the sheets which are forwarded by the feeding mechanism and carry them to mechanisms for performing subsequent operations upon them. 'in the construction illustrated in Fig. l the feeding mechanism is mounted upon a supplemental -frame ii which is bolted or otherwise secured to the end of the frame of the-feeding vand forwarding mechanism. The supplemental frame is provided with end plates 9 and l0 ,which are connected by tie rods H and l2 and I3, as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. l, 5 and'l, the stack of sheets or lblanks I4 rests at its lower end upon two or more end less carriers l5 which preferably have outwardly projecting short teethwhich engage the bottom edges of the sheets'of the stack. The endless carriers l5 are mounted upon suitable pulleys or sprockets carried upon shafts at the end of parallel bars I6 which are secured to extensions il oi racks I8 which are slidably mounted in suitable brackets i9 which in turn are slidably and adjustably mounted upon the tie rods l2 and i8 and adapted to be clamped thereon in adjusted positions to space the carriers properly for stacks of sheets having different widths. A shaft 2Q, which is journaled in the end frames Q and iii, en

placement while the outermost sheet is deflected tends through the brackets I9 and has slidably feathered upon it suitable gears (see Fig. 1) whichmesh with the racks I8. One or both ends of the shaft may be provided with angular extensions adapted to be engaged by a crank for rotating the shaft 20 and thereby to adjust the `carriers simultaneously upwardly or downwardly in accordance with the length of the sheets of the stack to present the upper end of the stack properly tothe mechanism for successively removing the outermost sheets therefromvand presenting them to the sheet receiving and forwarding mechanism. Any suitable means may be provided for locking the shaft when theldesired adjustment has been made.

The Ibars I6 which support the endless carriers I1 are provided with upwardly extending bosses or members 2i in which are mounted an abutment bar 22 which engages the outermost sheet of the sta-ck. The abutment -bar desirably is provided with a frictional insert 23,- such as fibre `or rubber, to increase frictional engagement of the lower end portion .of the outermost sheet of the carrier.

In the operation of the machine the stacks are vertically adjusted to such position that the upper end of the outermost sheet will engage or lie in close proximity to the periphery of a feed drum or rotata'ble member 24 having a slot 25 extending longitudinally thereof andl at an' angle to the axis of its shaft. One end portion of the from the stack, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Means are provided for progressively forcing the lower end of the stack against the abutment as successive sheets are removed therefrom at a predetermined adjustable pressure. As illustrated herein ther forward pulleys or sprockets upon l end frame i0.

feed drum is provided with a beveled or cutaway portion 26 so that the end of the opposite wall of the slot will present an O Verhanging corneror beak 21 adapted to engage a deflected corner portion of the outermostsheet, as will hereinafter more fully appear. A complementary roller 28, which may be of smaller or'larger diameter than theI feed drum 24, is mounted in cooperative relation to the rotatable feed drumand is provided with a cut-away portion 29 complementary to the slot in the feed drum 24 to permit deflection of the edge portion of the sheet throughout its width before the sheet is engaged in the bite .of the cooperating cylindrical surfaces of the rolls 24 and 28 which then act positively and uniformly to withdraw the outermost sheet from the stackand advance it in proper registry to the cooperating sheet forwarding belts .6, 1.

Means are provided, hereinafter described, for i" deflectin g a corner portion of the outermost sheet into the path of the `Ibeak 21 of the feed drum.

lThe slot of the feed drum has such angular relation to the axis thereof that upon continued rotation of the rotatable drum the edge of the sheet will be progressively deflected widthwise throughout its entire width, and thereupon engaged Iby the bight between the feed drum 24 and the companion roller 28 so that the sheet will be fed forward in proper registry to the lbands or belts 6 and 1 of the sheet-receiving means.

. Suitable means are provided for engaging the side edges of the sheets to maintain the stack from lateral displacement such as a plate 30 v which the endless carriers I6 are mounted are fixedly secured to a shaft 33 which has secured upon it a pulley 34 which is driven by a =belt 35 which is driven by a suitable pulley 36 on the shaft 2 of the sheet-receiving and forwarding means. The upper and lower runs of the belt 35 pass beneath pulleys 31 and 38 which are mounted upon a take-up lever 39 which is fulcrumed upon a' stud 40 which' is mounted in the The take-up lever 39 has adjustably secured to its opposite end a rod or bar 4l upon which a suitable weight 42 is adjustably mounted.

By reason of the construction above described any desirable tension may be imposed upon the belt 35 which will so frictionally drive the pulley 34 as to cause the carrier toproduce the desired pressure of the lower portion of the stack against the abutment in accordance with the character of the sheets of the stack which are being fed.

In the present invention suitable mechanism is provided for deflecting a corner portion of an outermost sheet of the stack from the stack into the path of the-corner or beak 21 of the wall of the angularly disposed slot of the rotatable member 24. IThe feed drum 'or rotatable member 24`is xedly secured to a shaft 43 which is journaled in the side members of the supplemental frame which carries the feeding mechanism. The corner deflecting mechanism is mounted on the bracket 3| 'which is carried by the tie rods Il. The preferred mechanism for deflecting the cornerportion of the sheet which is illustrated herein comprises a gripping member preferably having suction means for engaging the face of the outermost sheet of 'the stack in proximity to its corner and means for actuating the same to deflect the corner portion of the sheet away from the stack, thereafter to move the gripping member beyond the edge of the sheet and to restore it into position to engage the next succeeding sheet before the sheet is fully Withdrawn from the stack. A separator,

which is provided tocooperate with the corner deilecting mechanism, is normally located in proximity to an edge of the sheets of the stack and means are provided for actuating the separator in timed relation to the vgripping means to insert the separator between the deflected portion of the foremost sheet and the next succeeding sheet thereby to continue the deflection of the foremost sheet and to engage the next suclceeding sheet and restrain it from deflection while the gripping mechanism is removed from its engagement with the foremost sheet and restored to operative relation to the next succeeding sheet. Desirably lthe gripping mechanism is so constructed vand actuated that a portion thereof will during its movement to the position in which it 4engages the face of the next foremost sheet engage the rear faceof the deflected foremost sheet and aid. in assuring the. continued deflection thereof into .the slot in the rotatable member.

The particular form of grippingv mechanism which is illustrated herein comprises a metal tube 44 which is rotatably and reciprocably mounted in suitable bearing members 45 and 46 (Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4). The tube is provided ,near its end with a laterally extending hollow arm 41 having at the free end thereof a conical'suction cup 48, as more fully illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6, adapted to engage the exposed face of the outermost sheet. 44 has secured to it intermediate of its length an arm 49 provided at its end with a preferably ball-shaped cam follower 50 adapted to engage a compound cam I formed With a cam groove 52 to impart a swinging movement to the arm 41 which carries the suction cup 48 and also asurface cam 53 for moving the tube 44 axially of its bearings. Suitable means such as a spring 54 connected to the tube 44 andy to a stationary part of the machine serves to maintain the cam follower in contact with the surface cam- 53. The compound cam is so constructed as to move the suction cup 48 into engagement with the face of the outermost sheet of the stack at which time parts when the wedge mechanism is fully inserted The tubular member suction is applied to cause the suction cup to.V

grip the sheet. Further rotation of the cam thereupon swings the arm 41 outwardly thereby deilecting the corner portion of the sheet toward the slotted rotatable member. Further rotation of the compound cam causes the surface cam to raise the tube 44 sufficiently to move the suction cup beyond the end of the sheet and the grooved cam thereupon acts to swing the gripping member over the edge of the deected corner portion and concurrently therewith the surface cam together with`the spring 54 move the tube 44 and suction member downwardly in the rear of the deected end portion of the sheet and thereafter move the suction cup into engagement with the next succeeding sheet.

The lower end of the tube' 44 desirably is provided with a conical plug or closure 55 which, as the pipe il@ moves downwardly, engages the reverse surface of the deflected outermost sheet, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and assists in the further deflection of the sheet toward the slot `25 in the feed drum 24.

During the deflection of the corner portion of the outermost sheet a separator is introduced between the deflected portion of the sheet and the next succeeding sheet.

The preferred form of deflector vwhich is illustrated herein is a wedge-shaped plate or block 55 which is rigidly secured to the offset portion 5T of a bell crank arm 58, which is pivotally mounted onl the bracket 46. The other arm 59 of the bell crank is provided with a follower tu which' engages a grooved cam 6l which is flxedly secured to the shaft B2 upon which thev compound cam 5| is mounted. By reason of this construction proper timing relation of the gripping mechanism and separator is insured. l The relative movements of the gripping mechanism and the separator mechanism are illus` Y trated in Figs. 2, 3, ande, in which Fig. 2 illustrates the relative positions of the gripping mechanism with the suction cup engaging the face ofthe outermost sheet and the separator 5S removed from the stack. Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the gripper mechanism after having preliminarily deflected the corner portion of the' sheet with the separator moved to a, position in which the inclined face thereof engages the edge portion of the deflected sheet and is in position upon further movement to increase the deflection thereof with its flat face engaging the next sheet. and acting to restrain deflection of to retain the deflected end of the outermost sheet in. position to be engaged by the wall of the slot 25 in the rotatable member and shows the gripping mechanism in its position after having been raised beyond the upper edge of the foremost sheet and forced downwardly between the outermost sheet and the next succeeding sheet but before the suction cup thereof is restored to engagement with the face of the next succeeding sheet.

While the separator is illustrated herein as being located at the side of the stack and adapted to enter horizontally between the deflected portion of the foremost sheetand the next succeeding sheet in the stack, it will be understood that suitable mechanism may be provided for positioning and actuating the separator in a vertical direction to perform the same function in which case the separator may be located at a desirable position widthwise of the stack.

In the operation of the machine the corner deilecting and separating mechanism are operated in such timed relation that the gripper first engages the face of the corner portion of the outermost sheet and deflects it away from the stack.' 'Ihe separator then enters between the deflected portion of the sheet and the stack and continues the deflection of the uppermost portion of the sheet. During such deflection by the separator the gripper is moved upwardly out of engagement with the face of the sheet, the suction applied to the suction cup 'desirably but not necessarily having been discontinued. The gripping means then moves downwardly causing the end portion of the tube 44 to engage the deected foremost sheet and continues the deiection of the foremost sheet, if necessary to assure the entrance of the edge of the sheet into the slot '25 of the rotatable member or feed drum, and finally moves into engagement with the next sheet of the stack before the outermost sheet is fully withdrawn by the feed drum land its cooperating roller.

By reason of the fact that the slot 25 is in proper angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the feed drum 2t the edge portion of the sheet is progressively deflected widthwise ofthe sheet as it enters the slot 25 so that when the cylindrical periphery of the feed drum is brought into cooperation with the companion roller 28 the sheet will be gripped therebetween and fed accurately longitudinally of the sheet receiving mechanism and in proper registry for further operations upon the sheet. It will be noted that by reason of the operation of. the mechanisms above described the corner portion of the sheet is first end of the sheet will be slidably withdrawn from its frictional engagement between the surface of the abutment 22 and the next succeeding sheet.

By thus deecting and bending the sheet any `catching or interlocking between the outermost sheet and the next succeeding sheet will be avoided even though the sheets are provided with slitted or cut-out portions for window openings or the like.

that sheet. Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the 75 Suitable means are provided for actuating the feeding mechanism in synchronized relation to the movement of thesheet receiving and forwardingmechanism. As illustrated in Fig; '7 the shaft 2 of the sheet forwarding mechanism, which is positively driven, isprovided with a gear 63 which meshes with a pinion 64 which is mounted upon a suitable stud shaft in the end plate of the supping mechanism and also the cam 6I which actuates the separator. y A

In the constructionv illustrated the driving mechanism is so constructed that the cam shaft `revolves once to every revolution of the slotted feed drum and if suction is continuously'maintained upon the gripping mechanism the outermost sheet of the stack will be deected, withdrawn from the stack, and fed tothe sheet receiving mechanism upon each rotation of the feed drum. In such case the -suction gripper will be drawn upwardly out of engagement with -the face of the foremost sheet and thereafter movement. 'If longer sheets are tobe fed suitable means may be provided for applying suction to the suction cup at each second revolution of the feed drum as will hereinafter more fully appear.

A modified form of the invention adapted thus selectively to apply .suction to the sheet deflecting mechanism every other revolution of the drum, or alternatively .upon every fourth revolution` of the drum. is illustrated in Figs. 8-9. This embodiment of the inventiony also comprises means for adjusting the inclination of the stack in order to increase or decrease gravity pressure between the sheets of the stack.

In rthe construction shown in Fig. 8 the frame I of the receiving and forwarding mechanism,

in which the shafts 2 and 3 of the pulleys 44 and 5, which drive the receiving and forwarding belts 6 and 1, are mounted is of somewhat different construction and provided with anextension-10 from which upwardly inclined side frames 1I .extend and which are connected by suitable tie rods 12 corresponding to the tie `rods II. of the construction heretofore described. A bracket 13, 'which corresponds. to the bracket 3l previously described, is mounted on the tie rods 12 and has a downward extension" in which one end of the shaft 43 of the slotted feed drum 24 is mounted. The opposite end of the shaft 43 is mounted in the opposite side frame 'II .and actuated by suitable gearing from the shaft of -the 'companion roll 28 which as illustrated'in Figs. '8v and 10 is of .relatively larger diameter than'the feed drum f. 24 and. driven at a suitable peripheral' speed to cooperate with the feed drum.` 24.

the gripping mechanism employed and corresponds to the space between the end of thefeed drum and the adjacent side frame in the construction previously illustrated, in which suiiicient space is provided between the end of the feed drum and the side frame to permit a swinging movement of the gripping mechanism.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 8`ad justable means are provided for supporting stacks of sheets of different lengths in combination with the means for adjusting the inclination of the stack for the purpose heretofore described.

This construction comprisesv a magazine having a back plate 16 against which the outermost sheet of the stack I4 rests and a vertically adjustable carriage 11 which supports the bottom end of the stack and is slidably mounted upon a framecornprising side bars 18 having ears 'I9 which are connected by suitable shafts 193:, to parallel levers 80 having offset upper ends which are fulcrumed on studs 8| on the extensions 1I of the main frame I. The back plate 16 is also provided with suitable ears which are mounted on the shaft 19:1:v of the adjustable frame.

Bars 82, which are pivotally connected to the lower end portions of the levers 80, are providedwith racks which engage suitable gears 83 flxedly secured to a shaft which is journaled in the main frame I of the receiving and forwarding mechanism which may be rotated to advance or retract the rods 82 and thereby adjust the inclination of the stack supporting means, suitable means not shown being provided to lock the` shaft when the magazine is properly adjusted.

The-lower end of the stack I 4 is supported upon endless carriers 84 which extend beneath the lower end of the back plate 16 and suitable means are provided for actuating the carriers to advance the' stack against the back plate upon successive removal of the outermost sheets thereof in the manner heretofore described.

Suitable means well known in the art may be provided for adjusting the carriers toward or away from each other to accommodate diifery ent widths of stacks of sheets.

Suitable means are provided for adjusting the carriage upwardly or downwardly to position stacks of long sheets or short sheets properly with respect to the feed drum. As illustrated in Fig. 8 the'side bars 11 are provided with teeth forming racks 85 which are engaged by gears 86 which are xedly secured upon a shaft 81 which is journaled in the' side plates ofthe carriage and suitable means may be provided for locking the shaft 81 against rotation when adjustment of the carriage is secured.

Infthe construction illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 10, mechanism similar to that heretofore described is provided for actuating the gripping mechanism -to deflect the upper corner of the sheet, but in this construction the separator mechanism is located above the edge of thel stack and is moved vertically instead'of laterally as in the construction previously described.

In the construction shown in Figs. 8-10 the gripping mechanism comprises a tube 89 which is mounted in suitable bosses 9,0 and 9| extending from the bracket 13, An arm 92, which is'flxedly I 'to rotatev the `suctioncup ofthe gripper mechanisminto engagement with the outermost sheet.

proper then swing it laterally to deflect the corner portion of the sheet. The compound cam 94 then raises the gripping mechanism upwardly above the upper edge of the sheet, then moves it inwardly, and finally downwardly between the outermost sheet and the next succeeding sheet in the manner heretofore described.

In this construction the lower end of the tube 89 is provided with a lateral arcuate extension 05 having at its end a suction cup 90 corresponding to the'suction cup 48 in the construction disclosed in Figs. 1 4, the extension 95 being of arcuate form to avoid interference with the separator which moves upwardly and downwardly instead of la-terally'as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1-4.

The separator comprises a bar 91 which isslidably mounted intheposs 9| and is provided at its lower end with a wedge-shaped plate -or block 98 similar to that previously described. The bar 91 has secured to its upper end an arm 99 which engages a cam |00 which is mounted upon the cam shaft IOI upon which the compound cam 94 is mounted and which corresponds to `the cam shaft 62 of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1-4. The cam |00 is so constructed as normally to cause the separator to engage the outer face of the foremost sheet, as illustrated in Fig. 10,

until the suction cup is placed in contact with the surface of said sheet, and then to raise the separator above the edge of the stack before the gripper is actuated to deect the uppermost corner of the sheet from the stack. After the deiiection of the corner of the sheet the arm 99 is forced downwardly upon the low portion of the cam |00 by the spring |02, thus causing the separator to descend into engagement with the next outermost sheet and hold it from deection and the'inclined portion of the separator to engage the rear face of the deflected sheet to hold it in deflected position, while the gripping mechanism is raised over the edge of the sheet and positioned in proper relation to the next succeeding sheet, as heretofore described.

In order to feed sheets of different predetermined lengths to the sheet receiving and forwarding mechanism without varying the speed of either the sheet feeding mechanism or sheet forwarding mechanism, novel means are provided in the present invention for controlling the suction which iS applied to the gripping means which will enable the gripping means to engage the face of the foremost sheet upon each oscillation and reciprocation of the 'gripping mechanism to feed short sheets, the length of which does not exceed :the circumference of the drum, or upon every other oscillation and reciprocation of the gripping mechanism to feed in sheets not exceeding twice the circumference of the drum, and it will be understood that by proper changes in the gear ratio which drives the cam shaft and the control-3"' ling mechanism suction may be applied to the gripping mechanism in proper timed relation to the feed drum to cause the gripper to engage shorter'sheets upon every second actuation of the I gripping mechanism and togrip the long sheets .upon every fourth actuation of the Sl'iliplll' mechanism. The controlling mechanism may therefore be applied to feedingV mechanism such as illustratedin Fig. 1 and which employs a large feed drum having a single revolution for feeding each short sheet andtwo revolutions for feeding sheets twice thelength, or may befapplied to constructions such as illustrated in Fig. 8 having a smaller feed drum having two revolutions for feeding short sheets and four revolutions for feeding long sheets.

To avoid obscurity in illustration the controller mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 8 4as mounted upon one of the side frames 1I of the machine, but it will be readily understood that it may be mounted upon the side frame 9 of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 5, and 7. as the driving mechanism for the controller is in each case mounted upon the cam shaft 43 or IOI the cams of which actuate the gripping mechanism and the separator. y

The controller, which is illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, comprises a cylindrical casing or body |03 which, as illustrated in Fig. 8, is suitably securedY to the side frame 1| and is provided with a boss |04 forming a bearing for the cam shaft |0I. The opposite side of the body or casing is provided with a cylindrical recess |05 and with diametrically oppositely disposed channels |06 and |01 each of which communicates at both ends with the cylindrical recess |05.

A pinion |08, which is mounted on the end of the cam shaft |0|, engages an internally toothed ring gear |09 which is j ournaled in the cylindrical recess |05. A peripheral portion of the gear |09 is provided with a channel |I0 which is adapted to establish communication between adjacent ends of the channels |06 and |01. The ring gear therefore forms a valve adapted to establish communication with diametrically opposite adjacent ends of the channels |06 and |01 twice during each revolution of the ring gear or valve.

The casing |03 is provided with preferably diametrically opposite bosses and |I2 having radial bores which communicate respectively with the channels |05 and |01. A pipe ||3, which is mounted in the boss `communicates with a suitable suction pump or the like and a similar pipe I4 which is connected to the boss I I2 is connected by a flexible pipe I I5 to the upper end of the tube 89 which leads to the gripper, as illusvof the ring gear or valve |09 is 1 to 2 as illustrated in Fig. 11 so that each revolution of the camshaft rotates the ring gear or valve a half revolution. During one-half revolution the channel |I0 of the ring gear valve establishes communication with adjacent ends of the channels |06 and |01 in the casing. as illustrated in Fig. 11,

thereby establishing communication between the suction producing means and the suction gripper,

and upon the second revolution of the pinion |08 establishes communication between the diametrically opposite ends of the channels |06 and |01 thereby again establishing communication between the suction means and the gripper so that suction is applied to the gripper upon every revolution of the cam shaft which, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is coincident with every revolution of the feed drum. Thus the gripper is enabled to engage and deect the corner portion of each sheet upon each revolution of the feed drum.

The controller is, however, provided with means for closing the channel |01 in the casing. As illustrated herein the means comprises a cylindril cal valve III which is mounted in the casing |03 only upon every and extends transversely across the channel and is provided with a port ||9 to register with the channel Awhen in the position illustrated in Fig. 1l, but which may be rotated at right angles thereto to close the channel |01. The valve IIB is provided with a preferably milled head to enable it to be readily grasped and rotated` by the operator.

Desirably means are' providedfor limiting the rotation of the valve either to open or closed position. As illustrated in Fig. 13 a plate |2|, which is secured to the casing v|03 by a screw |22, is provided with a forked end which embraces the stem of the valve ||8 and presents stops |23 and |24 suitably spaced Aapart and adapted to engage a pin I 25 extending inwardly from the head |20, the stops |23 and |24 being so located that when the pin |25 engages the stop |23 the valve ||8 will be fully open and when the pin is rotated into engagement with the stop |24 will be fully closed..

When therefore the valve 8 is in closed position no suction can take place from the suction producing means through the channels |06 and |01. to the gripper and suction upon the gripper will only be established when the channell |0 of the valve communicates with the diametrically opposite ends of the channels |06 and |01. Thus suction can be applied to the gripper only upon every second revolution of the drum.

By reason of this construction therefore short sheets not exceeding in length the periphery of the drum will be successively deflected to the feed drum upon every revolution of the drum and when longer sheets not exceeding twice the pe-v riphery of the feed drum are to be fed the suction mechanism will be actuated upon every second revo-lution of the feed drum.

The construction illustrated in Figs. 8-10 differs from that illustrated in Figs. 1-5 in that the feed drum 24 is half the diameter of the cooperating companion roller 28, the drum 24A being driven in a 2 to 1 ratio from the shaft of the roller 28 by friction or by suitable gearing having thev same pitch diameter as the drum and roller. The

cam shaft |0| is driven from the shaft ofthe feed drum by suitable gearing including an intermediate idle gear |26 which engages 'a companion gear |21 `of the cam shaft 0|, the pitch diameter of the gear |21 being the same as that of the roller 28. Y r

By reason of -this construction the pinion |08 on the cam shaft will be rotatedonce to every second revolution of the feed drum 24 and the ring gear valve |09 will be revolved once in every four revolutions of the feed drum. When therefore the valve I8 ofthe controller is in open position illustrated in Fig. A11,- so that the channel 0 of the ring gear valveestablishes communication between ithe channels |06 and |01 twice during every revolution of the ring gear valve, suction will be applied to the gripping mechanism to deflect the end of a short sheet into the slot of the feed drum upon every second revolution of the feed drum. When the valve ||8is closed suction will be applied to the gripping mechanism fourth revolution of the feed drum. y

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 14 in which the stack I4 of superimposed sheets are carried by a horizontal support |28 carried by a vertically adjustable standard |29 adapted to be raised by mechanism op- #erate'd by an electric motor. In this construction guides |30 and |3| engage the ends of the sheets of the sheets. The feed drum .24 is located in proper juxtapositionto the sheet receiving 4and forwarding mechanism whichv comprises the pulleys 2 and 5 and the cooperating endless bands 6 and 1. The roller 28 which cooperates with the feed drum is located above the stack of sheets and means, such as a curved guide |32 and a suitably driven roller |33, serve to guide the uppermost sheet as it is removed from the stack Iby thefeed drum into the bite of the endless bands 6 and 1. In this construction a feeler lever |34, which is provided with a suitable head |35 to engage the outermost sheet, is fulcrumed intermediate Aof its length upon a shaft |36 and the opposite end of the feeler is provided with means to engage the plunger |31 of a snap switch |38 of a usual character in an electric circuit having conductors |39 and |40 leading to the motor which-elevates the standard |29 and the stack support |28 as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The sheet gripping and defiecting mechanism is of the character above described and is graphically illustrated in Fig. 14' as having suction gripping mechanism including a suctioncup 4| and a separator v|42 which are constructed and operated in a manner similar to thosel heretofore described.

As each outermost sheet is withdrawn from the stack by the feeding mechanism the head |35 of the feeler will descend thereby raising the opposite end of the feeler and causing the snap switch to complete the circuit to the electrically operated mechanism which lifts the standard |29 and the stack supporting plate |28. As soon as the uppermost sheet of the stack is positioned properly withl respect to the feed drum the head |35 of the feeler will be released from engagement with the plunger 31 -of the snap switch and permit the snap switch to break the circuit and thus arrest further upward movement of the stack. As snap switch mechanism of the above character is very sensitive the outermost sheets of the stack will be successively positioned accurately with respect to the feed drum and the corner deflecting and separating mechanism.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 15 in which the feeding mechanism is reversely arranged to deflect and withdraw the sheets from the bottom of the stack which is supported upon a series of rollers |43 which underlie a sufficient portion of the stack to support sheets in substantially horizontal relation with the end of the stack resting upon the feed drum 24. In this construction, as in that illustrated in Fig.' 14, suitable guides |44'and |45 engage the respective ends of the stack'and other guides desirably are provided for the edges of the stack. The gripping mechanism comprises a suction head |46-and a separator |41 which are similar to those heretofore described are similarly actuated for deecting the corner bands 6 and 1 of the sheet receiving and forwarding means.

It is therefore obvious fromthe above disclosure Athat various embodiments of the? invention f maybe madeand-that various changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts may be employed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what il sheet and progressively deflect said edge portion widthwise of the sheet away from the stack throughout its width while the-cylindrical surface of the drum engages and supports the undeflected portion of said outermost sheet and 'also same to hold the edge portion so deflected and to prevent displacement of the next succeeding sheet, and means for moving said gripping means over the edge of the deflected sheet and for causing it to engage the reverseface of the outermost sheet and increase the deflection thereof l thereby to insure engagement of the deflected end portion by said forwarding means.

5. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets, means for .de-

fleeting a corner portion of the outermost sheet engages the next adjacent sheet and restrains the portions of both sheets which are engaged by the cylindrical surface of the drum from displacement.

2. Sheet-feeding mechanism comprising means for mainly supporting a stack of sheets, a rotatable cylindrical drum engaging and supporting the edge portion of the stack adjacent to the end of the outermost sheet and having a slot in its periphery extending longitudinally thereof in such inclined relation to the axis of the drum as to receive an edge portion of the outermost sheet and progressively deflect said edge portion widthwise of the sheet away from the stack throughout its width while the cylindrical surface of the drum engages and supports the undeiiected portion of said outermost sheet and also engages the next adjacent sheet and restrains the portions of both sheets which are engaged by the cylindrical surface of the drum from ldisplacement, and complementary means cooperating with said drum positively and uniformly to withdraw said outermost sheet from the stack upon completion of the widthwise deflection of the edge portion thereof away from the stack.

3. Sheet-feeding mechanism comprising means or mainly supporting a stack of sheets, a rotatable cylindrical drum engaging and supporting the edge portion of the stack adjacent to the end of the outermost sheet" and having a slot in its periphery extending longitudinally thereof in such inclined relation to the axis of the drum as to receive an edge portion of theoutermost' sheet and progressively deflect said edge portion widthwise of the sheet away from the stack throughout its width While the cylindrical surface of the drum engages and supports the undeilected portion of said outermost sheet and also engages the nextadjacent sheet and restrains the portions of both sheets which are engaged by the cylindrical surface ofthe drum from displacement, and a cylinder cooperating from the stack, means for forwarding individual sheets located in proximity to the end of the stack having means for engaging the deflected corner portion and progressively continuing the deflection of the edge portiongthroughout the width thereof and upon completion of said deilection to withdraw the deflected sheet longitudinally from. the stack and forward it to a sheet receiving means.

6. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets, suction actuated means for deilecting a corner portion of A the outermost sheet from the stack, a separator, and means for actuating the same to hold the edge portion so deflected and to prevent displacement of the next succeeding sheet from the stack, sheet forwarding means having means to engage the deflected corner portion of the sheet and progressively to increase the deflection thereof throughout its width thereby to separate the major portion of the deflected' sheet from the adjacent sheet of the stack, and means for moving said gripping means over the edge of the deect'ed sheet and for restoring it into operative relation tothe next succeeding sheet Ybefore the outermost sheet is fully withdrawn from the stack by said forwarding means.

7. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright position, means for deflecting an upper corner portion of an outermost sheet from the stack, and sheet forwarding means having means forengaging the deflected corner edge portion and progressively continuing the deiection thereof throughout the width thereof and upon completion of said vdeflection to withdraw the deflected sheet longitudinally from the stack and forward it toa sheet receiving means.

8. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright position, means for deecting an upper corner portion of an outermost sheet from the stack, a separator, and means for actuating the same to hold the outermost sheet so with said drum having a longitudinally extending recess complementary to the slot of the drum to permit said progressive deflection of the outermost sheet throughout its width, with the remaining cylindrical surface of said cylinder cooperating with that of the drumvto withdraw the outermost'sheet fromthe stack and positively and uniformly forward it in a straight path.

4. Sheet feeding mechanism having means for engaging and forwardly individual sheets, means for supporting a stack of'sheets with an edge thereof in proximity to said forwarding means,

suction actuated ygripping means to engage the face of the edge portion oi' an outermost sheet, means for actuating said gripping means to deect the edge portion of the outermost 4sheet for engagement with said sheet forwarding means, a separator, and means for actuating the deflected and to prevent displacement of the next adjacent sheet of the stack, and sheet forward 4ing means having means for engaging the deflected corner edge portion and progressively continuing the deflection thereof throughout the y width thereof and upon completion of said deflection to withdraw the deflected sheet longitudinally from the stack and forward it to a sheet receiving means. f

- 9. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in sub' stantially upright forwardly inclined position having an abutment engaging the foremost sheet in proximity to the lower edge thereof, means for denecting the upper portion of the foremost sheet from the stack, a rotatable feed drum located in proximity to the upper end of the stack having means for engaging and progressively continuing in increasing the deflection'of the upper portion ofthe vsheet throughout its width thereby to separate the major portion of the deflected sheet from the adjacent sheet ofthe stack and operable thereafter slidably to withdraw the sheet from engagement with said abutment.

10. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position having an abutment engaging the foremost sheet in proximity to the lower edge thereof. means for defiecting the upper portion of the foremost sheet from the stack, a rotatable feed drum 1ocated in proximity to the upper end of the stack having means for engaging and progressively continuing and increasing the deflectionof the upper portion of the sheet throughout its width thereby to separate the major portion of the deiiected sheet from the adjacent sheet of the stack and operable thereafter slidably to withdraw the sheet from engagement with said abutment, and means for successively advancing the lower end of said stack against said abutment with predetermined pressure after each outermost sheet is withdrawn from the stack.

1i. Sheet feeding mechanism for forwarding individual sheets in predetermined registry to a traveling sheet receiving and forwarding means comprising a feed drum having a longitudinally extending slot inclined to the axis of thedrum and a cooperating roller having a complementary recess positioned to deliver the sheets to the sheet receiving means, an endless carrier for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position with the upper edge of the" sheet in proximity to said drum, an abutment engaging the lower end portion of the outermost sheet, means for deflecting an uppercorner of the outermost sheet of said 12. Sheet feeding mechanism for forwarding 50 individual sheets in predetermined registry to a traveling sheet receiving and forwarding means comprising a feed drum having a longitudinally extending slot inclined to the axis of the drum and a cooperating roller having a complementaryl recess positioned to deliver the sheets to the sheet receiving means, an endless carrier for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position with the upper edge of the sheet in proximity to said drum, an abutment engaging the lower end portion of the outermost sheet, means for deflecting an upper corner of the outermost sheet of said stack into engagement with the slot in said drum, whereby continued rotation of the drum will progressively continue the deflection of the sheet widthwise of the drum and upon completion thereof slidably withdraw the sheet from engagement with said abutment, means-for actuating said carrier comprising belt and pulley mechanism actuated from said sheetreceiving means and adjustable belt tightener mechanism acting upon said belt to cause said carrier to maintain a predetermined uniform pressure between the stack and the abutment as sheets are successively withdrawn from the stack.

a stack of sheets on` .edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position with the upper 13. Sheet feeding mechanism for forwarding .individual sheets in predetermined registry to a traveling sheet receiving and forwarding means comprising a feed drum having a longitudinally extending slot inclined to the axis of the'drum and a cooperating roller having a complementary recess positioned to deliver the sheets to the sheet receiving means, an endless carrier for supporting edge of the sheet in proximity to said drum, an abutment engaging the lower end portion of the outermost sheetmeans for deecting an upper corner of the outermost sheet of said stack into engagement with the slot in saidl drum, whereby continued rotation of the drum will progressively continue the deflection of the sheet widthwise of the drum and upon completion thereof slidably withdraw the sheet from engagement with said abutment, means operable from said sheet receiving means for actuating said carrier to maintain a predetermined pressure between the lowermost, sheet and the abutment as successive sheets are withdrawn from the stack, and means for adjusting said endless carrier up ordown to position upper ends of stacks of sheets having different lengths properly with respect to said sheet forwarding drum.

14. Mechanism for successively separating sheets from a stack of sheets comprising means for supporting the stack `of sheets with an edge portion thereof resting against a rotatable eylindrical drum having a continuous longitudinal groove in its periphery extending at an angle to the axis of the drum, and means for directing anedge portion of the outermost sheet into said groove whereby continued rotation of the drum will progressively separate said outermostl sheet from the next adjacent sheet of the stack while otherwise retaining the sheets of the stack from displacement.

15. Mechanism forv successively separating sheets from a stack of sheets comprising a feed drum having a longitudinally 'extending slot inclined to the axis of the drum, means for supporting the stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position with the upper edge portion thereof resting against said drum, and means for adjusting the stacksupporting means to vary the inclination of the stack, thereby to increase or decrease gravity pressure between the'sheets of the stack.

16. Sheet feeding mechanism for forwarding individual sheets in predetermined registry to a traveling sheet receiving and forwarding means comprising a feed drum having a longitudinally extending slot inclined to the axis of the drum and a cooperating roller having a complementary recess positioned to deliver the sheets to the sheet receiving means, an endlessv carrier for supporting a stack of sheets on edge in substantially upright forwardly inclined position with the upper edge of the sheet in proximity to said drum, means pivotally suspending said carrier, and means for adjusting said suspending means to vary the inclination of said stack. Y

17. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets upon the lower edge thereof in upright forwardly inclined position including an abutment frictionally engaging the outermost sheet Vin proximity to the lower end thereof, means for defiecting an edge portion of the outermost sheet from the stack, means for progressively continuing the deflection ofthe edge of the sheet widthwise of the sheet and bending the major .portion of the sheet away from the next succeeding'sheet of the stack to insure complete separation therefrom and having means operable thereafter slidably to withdraw the sheet from engagement with the abutment and forward the sheet to a sheet receiving means.

18. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising an endless carrier for supporting a stack of sheets upon the lower edge thereof in upright forwardly inclined position including van abutment frictionally engaging the outermost sheet in PI'OX- imity to the lower edge thereof, means for deiiecting a corner portion of the outermost sheet from the stack, means for continuing said defiection throughout the width of the stack and bending the major portion of the sheet away from the next succeeding sheet of the stack to insure complete separation therefrom and having means operable thereafter slidably to withdraw thesheet from engagement with the abutment and forward the sheet to a sheet receiving means, and means for actuating said movable carrier mechanism to move the stack forwardly as successive sheets are removed and to maintain substantially uniform frictional engagement between the then foremost sheet and said abutment.

19. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising movable carrier mechanism for supporting a stack of sheets upon the lower edge thereof in upright Yforwardly inclined position including an abutment frictionally engaging the outermost sheet in proximity 'to the lower end thereof, means for V mechanism to move the stack forwardly as successive sheets are removed from the stack to maintain substantially unform frictionaln engagement between the then foremost sheet and said abutment irrespective of the vertically ad- 'justed position of the carrier mechanism.

20. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means for supporting a stack of sheets, means located in proximity to an edge thereof having means to engage an edge portion of a. sheet and thereafter to withdraw the sheet from the stack and forward the same, suction operated gripping means and means to actuate the same to engage the face of an edge portion of the outermost sheet of the stack and deect it into the edge-engaging means of the sheet forwarding means, and adjustable suction controlling means selectively operable to cause suction to be applied to said gripping means in timed relation to the operation of said forwarding means, whereby long sheets or shorter sheets having a predetermined fractional 'lengthof said longer sheets may be separated from said stack and delivered by said forwarding means at the same rate of speed asA that of said long sheets.

2'1. means forlengaging and forwarding individual sheets, means for supporting a stack of sheets Sheet feeding mechanism comprising means in a predetermined ratio tothe movements of said forwarding means to forward short sheets or for causing suction to be applied thereto in a diiferent predetermined ratio to the movements of said forwarding means to forward longer sheets.

22. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising a ro` tatable feed drum having means to engage an edge of a sheet and a cooperating roller for advancing the sheet, means for supporting a stack of sheets with an edge thereof in proximity to said feed drum, suction actuated gripping means for deflecting the edge portion of the outermost sheet of a stack into engagement with said feed drum, and suction controlling means selectively operable to cause suction to be applied to said gripping means in synchronism with each revolutiori of the feed drum to forward sheets having a length not exceeding the circumference of the feed drum or in synchronism with ultimate revolutions of the feed drum to forward sheets having a length not exceeding twice the circumference of the feed drum. y 23. Sheet feeding mechanism comprising a rotatable feed drum having means to engage an edge of a sheet and a cooperating roller for advancing the sheet, means for supporting a stack" of sheets with an edge thereof Iin proximity to said feed drum, suction actuated gripping means for deecting the edge portion of the outermost sheet of a stack into engagement with said feed drum, and suctioncontrolling means selectively operable to cause suction to be applied to said gripping means upon every second revolution of the feed drum to feed sheets having a length not exceeding twice. the circumference of the feed drum, or upon every fourth revolution of the feed drum to forward sheets having a. length not exceeding four times the circumference of the feed drum.

24. Av suction controller, for a machine having means for forwarding individual sheets from a stack, and suction actuated gripping means to engage an edge portion of the outermost sheet of the stack, and means for actuating said gripping means to deflect said edge portion of the sheet to the sheet forwarding means in synchronism with the movements of the sheet forwarding means, comprising a casing having a cylindrical recess and oppositely disposed channels having their ends communicating with said recess in proximity to each other, a conduit Iadapted to connect one of said channels to suction producing means and a conduit leading from the other channel to said gripping means, a valve rotatably mounted in the recess in said casing having a port adapted to establish communication between the 'adjacent ends of said channels twice during every revolution of said valve, means for rotating said valve in properly timed relation to the movemehts of said suction actuated gripping means, and ymeans Vfor closing one of said channels whereby suction will be applied criceduring each revolution of said valve.

25. A suction controllenfor a machine having means for forwarding individual sheets from a stack, and suction actuated gripping means to engage an edge portion of the outermost sheet t sheet to the sheet forwarding means in synchronism with the movements of the sheet forwarding-means, comprising a casing having a cylindrical recess and oppositely disposed channels having their ends communicating with said recess in proximity to each other, a conduit adapted to connect one of said channels to suction producing means and a conduitleading from the other channel to said gripping means, an internally toothed ring gear valve rotatably mounted in the recess in said casing having a port adapted to establish communication between the adjacent ends of said channels twice during every revolution of said valve, a pinion in said casing engaging said ringgear ,valve having a predetermined ratio thereto, and means for rotating. said' properlyrtimed relation to the movepinion in ments of said suction actuated means, and meansl for closing one of said channels to vary the sequence of the application of suction to said gripping means.

26. A suction controller, for means foi` intermittently applying suction to the suction gripper of a sheetfeeding machine comprising a casing having a cylindrical recess therein and oppositely disposed channels having their ends communicating with said recess in proximity to each other, means for connecting one of said channels to a suction producing means, means for connecting the other channel to the suction gripper, a rotatable valve mounted in said recess Y having a port adapted to establish communication between adjacent ends of said channels twice. during every revolution of said valve, and means selectively operable to close one of lsaid channels thereby to establish communication -between the suction means and the suction gripper once during each revolution of said valve.

27. A suction controller, for means for intermittently applying suction to the suction gripper of a sheet feeding machine comprising a casing having an integral body provided with central cylindrical recess and oppositely disposed arcuate channels extending inwardly from one face of said body, said channels having their ends communicating with said recess in proximity to each other, means for connecting one of4 said channels to a suction producing means, means for connecting gripper, a rotary internallm toothed ring gear valve mounted in said recess having a port adapted to establish communication between adjacent ends of said channels twice during every revolution of said valve, a cover plate secured to said body forming a closure for said cylindrical recess and said channels and forming an end bearing for said valve, a shaft mounted in said casing-having a pinion engaging said ring gear valve, and manually operable means for closing one of said channels thereby to establish communication `between said suction means and the suction gripper once during each revolution of the valve.

the other channel to said suction 

